Wednesday, April 29, 2009

WHAT IS SWINE FLU AND WHO IS AT RISK?There are many types of influenza or “flu.” • The type that currently has health officials worried is swine influenza A (H1N1). • This disease affects mostly pigs.• Swine flu is contagious and is spreading from human to human. It is not yet known how easily the virus spreads.WHEN DID H1N1 SWINE FLU BECOME A PROBLEM FOR HUMANS?• The first human cases of this outbreak in the U.S. occurred in late March and early April 2009.• The swine flu is thought to spread in the same way the seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with the virus. It is unknown how easily it spreads.WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SWINE FLU?• Sudden onset of illness • Fever higher than 100.4 degree Fahrenheit• Chills • Cough• Headache • Sore throat• Stuffy nose • Muscle aches• Feeling of weakness • Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and/or exhaustion occur more commonly in children